NXT Breakout Tournament Semi-finals: Carmelo Hayes vs. Duke Hudson

We go back to the ring and out comes Carmelo Hayes for the second and last semi-finals match in the 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament. We see how he defeated Josh Briggs in the opening round. Out next comes Duke Hudson as Alicia Taylor does the introductions. We see how Hudson defeated Ikemen Jiro to advance from the first round. The winner of this match will meet Odyssey Jones in the finals.
The bell rings and they lock up with Hudson taking it to the corner as the referee warns him. Hayes escapes. Hudson keeps control and laughs at Hayes to taunt him. Hudson levels Hayes with a big shoulder as he charges. Hudson is all smiles as he taunts Hayes some more. Hudson drops Hayes again and controls him with a headlock on their feet. Hayes tries to fight out but Hudson slams him to the mat by his head.
Hudson with another headlock on their feet, using his size and strength to keep control. Fans rally for Hayes as he looks to turn it around now. Hayes lands on his feet from a counter and applies a headlock of his own. Hudson levels him with another shoulder. Hayes uses his speed and takes Hudson down with a springboard attack for a 2 count. Hudson overpowers off a counter, then launches Hayes out of the ring with ease. Hayes lands hard at ringside in front of the announce table as fans boo Hudson. We go to commercial with Hayes down on the floor.

Back from the break and they’re going at it in the ring. Hayes stuns Duke and nails an enziguri to send him into the corner. Hudson blocks an Irish whip and scoops Hayes on his shoulder, then kicks him in the face. Hudson with a big corner clothesline and a big overhead suplex. Fans chant “you still suck!” at Hudson.
Hayes dodges a shot and sends Hudson through the ropes to the floor. Hudson runs back to the apron but Hayes knocks him back to the floor with a scissors kick as fans pop. The referee counts and Hudson makes it back to the apron at the 5 count. Hayes holds his arm and unloads with kicks. Hayes leaps over the top rope to the floor, slamming Hudson’s face into the apron with a big DDT on the way down.
Hudson with lefts and rights in the ring now. Hudson looks to capitalize but Hayes counters and plants Hudson face-first for a close 2 count. Hayes goes to the top rope but Hudson runs over and grabs him to throw him to the mat. Hayes turns that into a roll-up for 2. Hayes with a big bicycle kick to the face and a Lungblower. Hayes goes back to the top and nails the flying leg drop to the back of the neck for the pin to win.

Winner: Carmelo Hayes

– After the match, Hayes celebrates as the music hits and we go to replays. Samantha Irvin interviews Hayes on the stage now, asking how he plans to deal with Odyssey Jones in the finals. Hayes talks about how he got this far by beating guys bigger than him. Hayes says just like in video games, you have to face the final boss in the end, but plot twist for Jones – Hayes is the final boss. The music interrupts and out comes Jones to the stage. Jones laughs at the idea of Hayes being a final boss. Jones says after he wins the finals next week, the whole NXT Universe is going to sound the alarm. Jones’ music starts back up as they face off and have words.

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